Every proud parent would want to ensure junior is well-fed and eating right. Apart from such foods as Kiwi fruit and eggs, parent would do well to include foods that will aid in their child’s growth and development. It is even better if the foods at the same time help address the parents’ own needs.

According to health news website MyHealthNewsDaily.com, such foods are not at all hard to come by. The five listed by the website that can boost brain power and get your kids mentally focused are high in compounds such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. With their anti-aging properties, they are also good news for parents.

The five foods are,Walnuts: They look like little brains and are packed with antioxidants, which researchers claim may combat the damage to brain cells’ DNA caused by free radicals in our bodies. A 2009 rat study also found that diets in which nuts made up as little as 2% reversed signs of aging.Carrots: They are not only good for your eyes but good for your brain. They contain high levels of a compound known as luteolin. A recent study published in the journal Nutrition found that luteolin reduces age-related memory deficits and inflammation in the brain. Other good sources: olive oil, peppers and celery.

Berries: In a 2009 report in the journal of nutrition, researchers examined a group of studies that showed fruits such as blueberries and strawberries can decrease a type of stress in cells associated with again and increase the signaling capabilities in brains.

Fish: Some studies have shown that eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids could help slow typical cognitive decline that comes with age. The report cites a 2005 study that found that people 65 and older who ate two meals of fish a week for six years had a 13% decrease in cognitive decline, compared with people who did not eat any fish regularly.

Spinach: It is loaded with vitamins C and E that help to improve cognitive abilities, according to the latest research. A 2000 study found that again rats had some of their age-related memory and motor deficits reversed after eating a diet rich in spinach, strawberries and blueberries.